Category: Attractions

If you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains, you probably have your favorite things. From restaurants and attractions to desserts and picnic spots, there are plenty of things to love about the area. There are many things I love about the Smokies, but I have my favorites, too – with maybe a dessert (or two or three) on the list. Whether you’re looking for something new to try, need some ideas for a surprise trip for someone, or just want to see if someone else loves your favorites in the Smokies just as much, […]

Jam-packed with family-friendly attractions, breweries and distilleries, fudge and candy shops, old-time photo studios, local wineries, museums, live music, outdoor activities, and an impressive calendar of events, the welcoming towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains are the vacation go-tos for millions of people each year. With so much to do, even a full week here isn’t enough time to fit it all in. But we know that you don’t always have a full week to get away. That’s another one of the great things about the Smokies. It’s more centrally located than most national parks […]

When I think about a beach vacation, there are certain things that come to mind. Laying out and listening to music all day, riding go karts, eating ice cream, hunting for seashells, getting dressed up for a seafood dinner, fruity drinks, boogie boards…you get the idea. For a winter ski getaway, I think zipping down the slopes, drinking hot cocoa in the lodge, curling up in front of the fire, and bundling up in cute scarves and boots. A Gatlinburg vacation is no different. If you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg (and especially if the Smokies is your go-to vacation destination […]

Even if you’ve never been to the Smokies, you’ve probably heard of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. But in the Smoky Mountains, Ripley’s is an entire family of attractions. Each of the 8 Ripley’s attractions in the Smokies is unique, offering all types of fun. The attractions go so far beyond the odd and crazy things we think of when we hear Believe It Or Not. From a top-rated aquarium and a haunted house to miniature golf and a 5D theater – and more in between – you could spend an entire day just visiting the Ripley’s attractions in the […]

You feel it, right? You need a vacation. The chance to get back to nature, to play and laugh and enjoy your friends and family. You need some time to relax and de-stress from the constant demands and responsibilities in your life. Well, we feel you too, and we think you’re absolutely right. You do deserve a break, and if you still need some convincing before you book a cabin and jump in the car, here are at least three good reasons why. You work HARD. Did you know, according to an ABC News article, that “Americans work more than […]

April showers are bringing more than May flowers to Cabins for YOU. We’re welcoming 5 new cabins to the Cabins for YOU family, all ready for you to come play, relax, and call home while you explore the Smokies. If you’re planning a romantic getaway, check out the intimate Three Bears. For families and groups, Savannah Splash, Mockingbird Hill, Jennie’s Cove, and Jennie’s View boast sleeping space from 10 – 22 guests! Three Bears | 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom | sleeps 4 | Pigeon Forge Secluded at the end of a wooded drive, this pet-friendly studio-style cabin is the definition […]

You’ve said it before: “I need a vacation from my vacation!” Those are the kind of trips where you’re constantly on the go and feel like you have to see absolutely EVERYTHING because when are you going to be back? Maybe never, right? But the great thing about the Smoky Mountains is how easily accessible and downright affordable it is for a family vacation this year…and next year…and the next. So when you come to the Smokies, you NEVER have to feel like you should cram it all in all at once. And trying to would definitely leave you overwhelmed! […]

The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community – a collection of talented artisans along an 8-mile historic loop in Gatlinburg – is an important part of the Great Smoky Mountains. It started in the mid-1930s when the local craftsmen decided to work from their homes – where their tools were – instead of selling along the streets downtown. Woodcarver John Cowden was one of the first, and many artists began to follow suit, opening shops and studios next to (or inside of) their homes. As word spread, more and more visitors started coming to watch the craftsmen at work and […]

Vacation costs add up. Between finding a place to stay, travel costs, going out to eat, souvenirs, and attractions, cash starts to get short. Thankfully, we have budget-friendly cabins that won’t break the bank, and Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge have activities, attractions, shops, and even restaurants to fit almost any budget. If you’re working with a budget but want to plan plenty of fun for your vacation in the Smokies, read on. The list could go on and on, but we’ve started with 30 ways to play in the Smokies when you’re short on cash. Hike in the Great Smoky […]